starting solids

I've read a few posts about people giving their babies solids, I'm just wondering why if ur not supposed to till six months as giving them earlier increases the risk of allergies? Am I missing something here?

I've read a few posts about people giving their babies solids, I'm just wondering why if ur not supposed to till six months as giving them earlier increases the risk of allergies? Am I missing something here?

It's kind of like asking people why they would give their baby formula if they can breastfeed (no medical problems or any reason like that) like saying "It was hard" or "it hurt a lot" or like asking people why they would circumsize their son. I don't care what people do with their baby as long as their not endagering them. Some people go by advice and things their mom or grandma say. Like some people started solids at 10 or 12 weeks and don't have any allergies. Like how much does the risk of allergies go up if they start their baby on solids early? Is it .06%? or is it a significant number like 25% or more? Also once babies hit 4 mos some doctors give the ok for solids. People say "every baby is different" and "you'll know what your baby needs because you'll see the signs" but then stuff like this comes up.

PS: the tone of this isn't hostile or offended, because my son isnt eating solids yet. I'm waiting for the ok from my son's doctor before I do anything. I'm answering your question because no one else did yet

It's kind of like asking people why they would give their baby formula if they can breastfeed (no medical problems or any reason like that) like saying "It was hard" or "it hurt a lot" or like asking people why they would circumsize their son. I don't care what people do with their baby as long as their not endagering them. Some people go by advice and things their mom or grandma say. Like some people started solids at 10 or 12 weeks and don't have any allergies. Like how much does the risk of allergies go up if they start their baby on solids early? Is it .06%? or is it a significant number like 25% or more? Also once babies hit 4 mos some doctors give the ok for solids. People say "every baby is different" and "you'll know what your baby needs because you'll see the signs" but then stuff like this comes up.

PS: the tone of this isn't hostile or offended, because my son isnt eating solids yet. I'm waiting for the ok from my son's doctor before I do anything. I'm answering your question because no one else did yet

I started solids at 3 months for my son because I chose to and it was my decision! He's doing perfect on it. And it is completely the mothers choose when they want to start! All the allergies bulls$&t is a load of crap Now. It's simple really. Start when YOU want to start giving your baby solids...

I started solids at 3 months for my son because I chose to and it was my decision! He's doing perfect on it. And it is completely the mothers choose when they want to start! All the allergies bulls$&t is a load of crap Now. It's simple really. Start when YOU want to start giving your baby solids...

I agree it's completely your decision when to start your LO on solids. At our 2 month appointment my pedi said that we'll start discussing solids at our next appt. (4 months). Right now Hailey doesn't seem to be ready for solids and is perfectly content on BM. My mom and grandmother were harping on the cereal a few weeks ago, but once they saw how well she was doing and how she was growing they stopped. My mom started me on solids when I was 4 weeks old, and my brother and sister as soon as they came home from the hospital. None of us have any food allergies whatsoever. Mom will know when they're LO is ready, and will make the right decision.

I agree it's completely your decision when to start your LO on solids. At our 2 month appointment my pedi said that we'll start discussing solids at our next appt. (4 months). Right now Hailey doesn't seem to be ready for solids and is perfectly content on BM. My mom and grandmother were harping on the cereal a few weeks ago, but once they saw how well she was doing and how she was growing they stopped. My mom started me on solids when I was 4 weeks old, and my brother and sister as soon as they came home from the hospital. None of us have any food allergies whatsoever. Mom will know when they're LO is ready, and will make the right decision.

I guess I'm confused how you can compare jadie x's question to whether not you decide to breast or formula feed... or am I just not understanding your post?

I say that because from what I've read and from the professional advice I was given, everything says to wait till at least four months to start solids. It seems the professionals push more towards six months. From what I understand, their little tummies don't really digest the food so it gives them no nutritional value when giving food too early. With breast and formula milk atleast it's proven to both be nutritional in different ways at all stages of the first year . Heck I've also read that starting solids to early leads to child obesity but who knows!

For me personally I'm going to listen to current professional medical advice and start around 5-6 months!

Im sure I'm going to anger someone, so I apologize in advance, but the following is my feelings. I think starting solids early( without medical reasons of course) seems slightly selfish. I can't think of a better word(jr doesn't seem to want to sleep the past four days so sleep deprived brain) but What I mean by selfish is..... I can't wait to introduce real food to my baby and I think it will be exciting and fun... But I'm not going to feed him just for entertaining me or to c if he can do it... which are selfish reasons. So I really don't know why people start solids early for non medical reasons?

I guess I'm confused how you can compare jadie x's question to whether not you decide to breast or formula feed... or am I just not understanding your post?

I say that because from what I've read and from the professional advice I was given, everything says to wait till at least four months to start solids. It seems the professionals push more towards six months. From what I understand, their little tummies don't really digest the food so it gives them no nutritional value when giving food too early. With breast and formula milk atleast it's proven to both be nutritional in different ways at all stages of the first year . Heck I've also read that starting solids to early leads to child obesity but who knows!

For me personally I'm going to listen to current professional medical advice and start around 5-6 months!

Im sure I'm going to anger someone, so I apologize in advance, but the following is my feelings. I think starting solids early( without medical reasons of course) seems slightly selfish. I can't think of a better word(jr doesn't seem to want to sleep the past four days so sleep deprived brain) but What I mean by selfish is..... I can't wait to introduce real food to my baby and I think it will be exciting and fun... But I'm not going to feed him just for entertaining me or to c if he can do it... which are selfish reasons. So I really don't know why people start solids early for non medical reasons?

I've had lots of friends and family that fed their LOs really early compared to Dr's recommendations. So no surprise to see it here. I am going to wait out till 6mo with my son. I'm mostly afraid of him puking and choking on it. We've already had a scare with just milk puke going down the wrong way. I tried to do it earlier with my daughter but cereals made her constipated, 4mo, then she broke out into rash when we tried bananas around 5mo. After that I really listened to the Dr and held off till 6mo. Her body wasn't ready. The older she got the better her body handled them. We also did oatmeal cereal instead of rice the second time. I don't see a big problem for anyone to try it if they feel their lo is showing signs of being ready.

I've had lots of friends and family that fed their LOs really early compared to Dr's recommendations. So no surprise to see it here. I am going to wait out till 6mo with my son. I'm mostly afraid of him puking and choking on it. We've already had a scare with just milk puke going down the wrong way. I tried to do it earlier with my daughter but cereals made her constipated, 4mo, then she broke out into rash when we tried bananas around 5mo. After that I really listened to the Dr and held off till 6mo. Her body wasn't ready. The older she got the better her body handled them. We also did oatmeal cereal instead of rice the second time. I don't see a big problem for anyone to try it if they feel their lo is showing signs of being ready.

My lo's pediatrician recommends 4 months. He's not from the US but I'm not ginna make myself look ignorant here and try to guess where he's from... Anyway he said the time parents feed solids is most often a cultural thing. Some cultures recommend it sooner than later. But he says to try very small amounts around 4 months.

I'm gonna read up on it more but I've also read that is recommended to EBF/EFF for 6 months.

My lo's pediatrician recommends 4 months. He's not from the US but I'm not ginna make myself look ignorant here and try to guess where he's from... Anyway he said the time parents feed solids is most often a cultural thing. Some cultures recommend it sooner than later. But he says to try very small amounts around 4 months.

I'm gonna read up on it more but I've also read that is recommended to EBF/EFF for 6 months.

And in response to angela8008 our doctor says giving solids before 6 months is to begin teach lo HOW to eat more than for nutritional value. It gives them a chance to practice eating slowly so when they really need the nutrients they're good to go.

And in response to angela8008 our doctor says giving solids before 6 months is to begin teach lo HOW to eat more than for nutritional value. It gives them a chance to practice eating slowly so when they really need the nutrients they're good to go.

Your drs recommendation sounds valid. I'm curious to know if there have been any studies showing it is helpful in teaching them? Maybe a study comparing the ability of a lo who started lets say at two months vs the ability of a lo who started at 6 months? Im Curious?

Your drs recommendation sounds valid. I'm curious to know if there have been any studies showing it is helpful in teaching them? Maybe a study comparing the ability of a lo who started lets say at two months vs the ability of a lo who started at 6 months? Im Curious?

Last night I was looking through WTE The First Year. There was a question in there about having a really hard time getting a (I don't remember if it was four or five months maybe?) baby to take a bottle. The answer was the older the baby gets the more accustomed it gets to its lifestyle (eating from breast, bottle, etc.) and the more work it is to get baby to accept something new. I think that's why PP's doctor suggested introducing small amounts of solids at 4 months instead of waiting til 6 months - because baby will be more open to trying something new, not because baby will get much nutritional benefit from solids at that age.

Last night I was looking through WTE The First Year. There was a question in there about having a really hard time getting a (I don't remember if it was four or five months maybe?) baby to take a bottle. The answer was the older the baby gets the more accustomed it gets to its lifestyle (eating from breast, bottle, etc.) and the more work it is to get baby to accept something new. I think that's why PP's doctor suggested introducing small amounts of solids at 4 months instead of waiting til 6 months - because baby will be more open to trying something new, not because baby will get much nutritional benefit from solids at that age.

---
mother to Elliott, born May 27, 2010 and Oliver, born March 30, 2012

From:
serena_2010x

To: atheistmama

Posted: Aug-08 06:58 PM (17 of 39)

I agree that it is entirely the mothers decision and they should not be judged by this! After all we aren't making your baby eat it or forcing it down our babies throats. If the babys didn't want it they would spit it. Not every baby is the same!

I agree that it is entirely the mothers decision and they should not be judged by this! After all we aren't making your baby eat it or forcing it down our babies throats. If the babys didn't want it they would spit it. Not every baby is the same!

Mine is growing fine on breastmilk ONLY as well, one of my (not so smart) friends even had the nerve to tell me that breastfeeding a baby makes them too fat as opposed to feeding them formula. So when people say stupid things/dont understand what I say. I just ignore them and their comments! Eli is on breastmilk but if his doc gives the green light next month he will be eating 1-2 tsp of rice cereal for breakfast!

Mine is growing fine on breastmilk ONLY as well, one of my (not so smart) friends even had the nerve to tell me that breastfeeding a baby makes them too fat as opposed to feeding them formula. So when people say stupid things/dont understand what I say. I just ignore them and their comments! Eli is on breastmilk but if his doc gives the green light next month he will be eating 1-2 tsp of rice cereal for breakfast!

I love your snarky remark in regards to me having a question about your post! Since you just "ignore people" who don't understand you. I wish you could have just directed your remarks to me instead of hiding it in a to all post. All I'd like to know is what the connection to jadie's post and to using bm vs formula? But now forget it!

I love your snarky remark in regards to me having a question about your post! Since you just "ignore people" who don't understand you. I wish you could have just directed your remarks to me instead of hiding it in a to all post. All I'd like to know is what the connection to jadie's post and to using bm vs formula? But now forget it!

The reasons for avoiding the introduction of solid foods in babies has more to do than just waiting to see if a baby is "ready." Â

Â The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend introducing solid foods until babies are 4 to 6 months of age. Â "Solid foods should not be started until 4-6 months of age. Introducing solid foods before age 4 months could increase the risk of developing allergies. Â However, delaying the introduction of solids beyond 6 months of age does not offer any additional benefit in preventing allergies. Â There is also no clear consensus about delaying the introduction of highly allergenic foods, such as egg, peanut or fish. Â Some people still recommend not to introduce these foods in the first year or two of life, but this should be left up to the advice of your pediatrician who can best assess the risk factors in your family." Â "The number of people in the United States with allergies, asthma and eczema has doubled over the past decade."

Â The information was found in a newsletter printed in August 2010. Â It can be found at the following link:http://www.aap.org/sections/ypn/r/resident/districts/districtvi_files/dist6_newsletter_April2010.pdf

It is also thought though it may still be controversial that introducing solids before 4 months of age may result in bad eating behaviors later on."Despite recommendations that complementary foods not be introduced to infants aged 4 months or younger, almost half of the infants in this study had consumed solid foods by the age of 4 months. This early introduction of complementary foods was associated with unhealthful subsequent feeding behaviors."Â http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/122/Supplement_2/S36.pdf

Another study was done to assess the introduction of solid foods in babies and discovered:"The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the World Health Organization recommend that infants receive only breast milk or formula for the first 4 to 6 months of life, followed by the introduction of complementary foods. Despite these recommendations, many infants, particularly those with adolescent mothers, receive solid foods (often cereal mixed with formula in a bottle) and liquids other than formula or breast milk in the first few weeks of life. Decisions on early feeding are often guided by grandmothers and influenced by beliefs that infants need complementary food to counteract signals of hunger, reduce crying, and sleep through the night.foods other than breast milk, formula, or water were classified as less optimal feeders. Â "There is evidence that early introduction of solid foods may increase infantsâ€™ risk of enteric infections, allergic reactions, obesity, choking, and food aversion."http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/107/5/e67.pdf

The reasons for avoiding the introduction of solid foods in babies has more to do than just waiting to see if a baby is "ready." Â

Â The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend introducing solid foods until babies are 4 to 6 months of age. Â "Solid foods should not be started until 4-6 months of age. Introducing solid foods before age 4 months could increase the risk of developing allergies. Â However, delaying the introduction of solids beyond 6 months of age does not offer any additional benefit in preventing allergies. Â There is also no clear consensus about delaying the introduction of highly allergenic foods, such as egg, peanut or fish. Â Some people still recommend not to introduce these foods in the first year or two of life, but this should be left up to the advice of your pediatrician who can best assess the risk factors in your family." Â "The number of people in the United States with allergies, asthma and eczema has doubled over the past decade."

Â The information was found in a newsletter printed in August 2010. Â It can be found at the following link:http://www.aap.org/sections/ypn/r/resident/districts/districtvi_files/dist6_newsletter_April2010.pdf

It is also thought though it may still be controversial that introducing solids before 4 months of age may result in bad eating behaviors later on."Despite recommendations that complementary foods not be introduced to infants aged 4 months or younger, almost half of the infants in this study had consumed solid foods by the age of 4 months. This early introduction of complementary foods was associated with unhealthful subsequent feeding behaviors."Â http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/122/Supplement_2/S36.pdf

Another study was done to assess the introduction of solid foods in babies and discovered:"The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the World Health Organization recommend that infants receive only breast milk or formula for the first 4 to 6 months of life, followed by the introduction of complementary foods. Despite these recommendations, many infants, particularly those with adolescent mothers, receive solid foods (often cereal mixed with formula in a bottle) and liquids other than formula or breast milk in the first few weeks of life. Decisions on early feeding are often guided by grandmothers and influenced by beliefs that infants need complementary food to counteract signals of hunger, reduce crying, and sleep through the night.foods other than breast milk, formula, or water were classified as less optimal feeders. Â "There is evidence that early introduction of solid foods may increase infantsâ€™ risk of enteric infections, allergic reactions, obesity, choking, and food aversion."http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/107/5/e67.pdf

The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, or in place of therapy or medical care. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy

Advertising Notice

This Site and third parties who place advertisements on this Site may collect and use information about your visits to this Site and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like to obtain more information about these advertising practices and to make choices about online behavioral advertising, please click here